Perspectives

Alternative Investment Trends

Spectrem will identify new and evolving trends with alternative investments.  Holdings and interest levels in managed futures, hedge funds, private equity offerings, currency funds, limited partnerships, futures, options and leaps will be included in this repor

Trends in Charitable Giving

Effectively giving to charities through new financial products, services and instruments has changed dramatically in just a few short years.  This report focuses on the ways that the ultra wealthy have chosen to bequeath and donate to various types of charities through new methodologies. 

2012 Personal Trust Update

The 2012 Personal Trust Update is Spectrem’s 9th annual report based on our analysis of FDIC data supplemented with Spectrem’s insights gleaned from our studies of affluent households.

Meeting the Insurance Needs of the Mass Affluent

This report, based upon research with over 4,000 Mass Affluent households, identifies the types of products already owned by these individuals and provides financial providers with details regarding the types of individuals who may be under-insured and how to meet their needs.

Personal Trust Update 2011

Trust Update 2011 is an analysis of FDIC data supplemented with information from Spectrem studies. This report takes a view of trends in total personal trust assets and accounts, managed versus non-managed personal trust assets as well the status of common/collective funds. Institutional assets are identified when possible.

Opportunity for Advisory Firms with Self Directed Investors

Self-Directed investors represent a significant portion of investors and provide opportunity for financial services companies as well as advisory firms. With the advent of the Internet, access to information and research on investments, the Self-Directed investor has become force within the investing public. Often perceived as mavericks that can only be serviced by online brokerage firms, the reality is that Self-Directed investors can and do provide opportunity for advisory firms. While there are definitely some Self-Directed individuals who will never need assistance, others will eventually reach out to an advisory firm for expertise. These investors have unique and exacting needs that financial services companies cannot afford to overlook.

Working with Retired Investors

It is the goal of the majority of investors, regardless of wealth level, to someday retire. It is true some Investors make a conscious decision to remain active in the workforce well beyond what is considered a “normal retirement age” as long as they are physically able, but this percentage is small. As investors enter retirement, their needs and priorities shift. While there are some investors that will always be Self-Directed and may never need assistance, the typical retired investor is more heavily dependent upon others for advice; and will eventually reach out to an advisory firm for expertise. Given today’s average life expectancy of 78, retired investors face challenges with their investments and expenses to ensure they can afford a healthy lifestyle, and in some cases create a multi-generational legacy.

Retirement Income

More than 20 million individuals will reach retirement age over the next five years. A large portion of these represent mass affluent households, those with a net worth not including their primary residence of $100,000 to $1 million. How are these households planning to structure their financial lives in retirement? Does the market crash of 2008 mean that they will be adverse to leaving their nest-egg exposed to the fluctuations of the market? If so, will that translate into a bonanza for annuity providers? Or, will they be seeking out advisors to help them identify other approaches for controlling risk and maintaining the level of income they need?

Wealthy Young Investors

Millionaire investors under the age of 45 offer significant opportunities for advisors. These investors are less likely to have established a relationship with an advisor than older affluent investors. Many of them are doctors, lawyers and other professionals thus they represent individuals that will have significant household incomes for years to come. They are skeptical about the value an advisor can provide.

Baby Boomers

The impact of the recession on the largest U.S.  generation, soon to face retirement, has been complicated. Torn between  protecting the principal they had left after the market downturn yet desperate  for their assets to return to pre-recession levels, their attitudes and  behaviors are mixed.

Serving Business Owners

Business Owners represent one of the most important segments of the U.S. investor population.  With personalities that are somewhat self-reliant, these investors have high expectations of providers.  The combineation of their business and personal needs makes serving these important clients complicated for advisors and financial providers, yet Business Owners present enormous opportunities for investment professionals.

Professionals and Their Needs

Professionals, or attorneys, doctors, and accountants are a large and affluent group who expect more from a financial institution than their affluent peers. This is an important group to cultivate a relationship with because of the longevity of those relationships, and the referrals received from them.